Église Saint-Georges

Église Saint-Georges is the parish church of Montsevelier, a village that has belonged to the municipality of Val Terbi in the Swiss canton of Jura since 2013. It stands in the Val Terbi valley, in the district of Delémont, and still serves as the village parish church.

Which Saint-Georges church is this?

The dedication is common, so it helps to be precise: this is the church in Montsevelier, not one of the many other churches named after Saint George in France or elsewhere in Switzerland. Montsevelier was an independent municipality for generations. In 2013 it merged with Vermes and Vicques to form Val Terbi, and Corban joined in 2018. The church is Roman Catholic and belongs to the Diocese of Basel.

What does the building look like?

The present church was rebuilt in 1900–1901 in an eclectic style, meaning it blends features from several earlier architectural traditions. It is therefore a turn-of-the-twentieth-century building rather than a medieval one, set within a village at the bottom of a secluded valley.

What is the history of the parish?

The Montsevelier parish is documented from 1321. Its status changed over the centuries: from 1874 to 1935 the village was attached to the parish of neighbouring Mervelier, and since 1935 it has had its own parish again. The village itself first appears in records in 1136 as Muzivilir; its old German name was Mutzwil. At a spot called La Chèvre, archaeologists found the remains of a Burgundian pottery workshop from the 7th century.

Montsevelier was part of the old lordship of Delémont. As an enclave within neutral Swiss territory, it escaped French occupation between 1792 and 1797. It became a mixed municipality in 1853. The village was traditionally agricultural, and from the 1960s industry grew here: machine tools, polishing, finishing and precision cutting. By 2000 the secondary sector provided almost half of local jobs, and the population was around 500.

When and why should you visit?

The church suits visitors exploring the Jura who care about sacred architecture and the local history of small valley villages. It is best seen as part of a walk through Montsevelier or a wider trip around Val Terbi, which also includes Corban, whose entire village is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Heritage Sites. Check opening hours with the parish before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Église Saint-Georges? In Montsevelier, part of the municipality of Val Terbi, canton of Jura.

When was the current building constructed? It was rebuilt in 1900–1901 in an eclectic style.

How old is the parish? Sources record it from 1321. It has been independent again since 1935, after being united with Mervelier from 1874 to 1935.

Is Montsevelier a separate municipality? No. Since 1 January 2013 it has been part of Val Terbi, together with Vermes and Vicques; Corban joined in 2018.